Another good release from Dokken! My opinion has really changed on the band after listening to Under Lock and Key and Back for the Attack. I wouldn’t place the band in my top ten (or even top twenty) but I have a new found respect for them.

This album is a step behind Under Lock and Key (my favorite of all the Dokken albums I’ve heard). There’s nothing here that comes close to being a standout track like “It’s Not Love” but there’s still plenty of good stuff (like the instrumental “Mr. Scary” which sounds like the music for a video game) and unfortunately there’s some filler as well. 13 tracks? That’s going a bit too long for my tastes. I wonder why they decided to increase by three songs compared to Under Lock and Key.

“Dream Warriors” is of course one of Dokken’s most famous songs and stems from the A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors movie soundtrack. It was originally released in February 1987 as a single. Due to its success, it was remixed and included on this album, which was released in November of that same year . That’s one way to explain the length of this album.

This was the last Dokken album until their reunion in 1995 but it was a nice note to end on.

This is a mixed bag. I am with you on your list of the better songs. This album isn’t as dull as Breaking the Chains, but it’s not nearly as good as the previous two. I saw them on this tour on Van Halen’s Monsters of rock and they were solid. They played like six songs off of Tooth and nail so that helped.

I agree, “Under Lock And Key” is an overall better album than “Back For The Attack”. I still listen to this Dokken album regularly. “Burning Like A Flame” was a big MTV video back in 87-88, it got played very often then.

If you have been liking what you hear from Dokken, it worth picking up the “Unchain The Night” DVD from Dokken… it’s loaded with their 1980’s music videos and has backstage footage too. There’s also an interview with Don Dokken and Mick Brown on this DVD, it’s interesting and fun to hear, as they both look back on the 80’s. If you already have it, please excuse the referral and blab!

They hit their peak in 1985 and didn’t even know it. This album is too long, I agree, and has wayyyyy too much filler. But it has some high points. “Burning Like A Flame” was great to hear on now non-existent 80s top 40 radio alongside, say Taylor Dayne. “Mr. Scary”, although going nowhere, is essential Lynch. “Kiss Of Death” was Dokken at it’s best.
I’d love to see you review their reunion disc “Too High To Fly” (also filled with filler but with a great title track), and the 1997 follow-up “Shadowlife” (so bad it stinks to this day). But I wouldn’t want to be accused of suggesting you waste your money. 🙂